Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York City

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Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York City

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July 4, 2008

Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York City

The Nathan's International July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contest is an annual competitive eating competition held at Nathan's Famous Corporation's original and best-known restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York. The event is held on July 4 (except Sundays, when it is held July 5, which is Independence Day Observed), and is regarded as the world's most famous hot dog eating contest and a colorful tradition of Independence Day in the United States. In 2006, over 30,000 spectators attended the event, and an additional 1.5 million households watched it live on ESPN.
Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest

Rules

Only adults 18 years or older who fulfill one of the following four conditions may compete:

* Being the reigning champion
* Winning a regional qualifying contest for that season
* Qualifying as the season's wildcard (highest average qualifier score without winning a single qualifer)
* Special invitation by IFOCE

The IFOCE has sanctioned the event since 1997. Today entrants cannot be from any non-IFOCE competitive eating organizations or their invitations will be revoked.
Rules used in the early years of the contest were different than today's. For example, in past contests minors could compete (Birgit Felden was 17 when she won the 1984 contest.)
During the event, the field of about 20 contestants stands on a raised platform behind a 30-foot-long table with drinks and Nathan's Famous hot dogs in buns. Most contestants drink water, but other kinds of drinks can and have been used. Condiments are allowed, but are usually not used. The hot dogs themselves are allowed to cool slightly after grilling to prevent possible mouth burns. Whomever consumes (and keeps down) the most hot dogs and buns ("HDBs") in twelve minutes is declared the winner. A designated scorekeeper is paired with each contestant who flips a number board counting the hot dogs consumed. Partially eaten hot dogs count and the granularity of measurement is eighths of a length. Hot dogs still in the mouth at the end of the 12 minutes count only if they are swallowed. There can be deductions in score for excess HDB debris. Both hands may be used. After the winner is declared, a plate with the number of hot dogs eaten by the winner is brought out.

Prizes

Winners receive a trophy, two cases of Nathan's Famous hot dogs, and in some years a non-cash prize donated by a sponsor. For example, in 2004 Orbitz donated a travel package to the winner.
In 2007, for the first time, there will be cash awarded to the winners. $20,000 in cash prizes will be awarded in 2007 as follows[4]:

* 1st Place: $10,000
* 2nd Place: $5,000
* 3rd Place: $2,500
* 4th Place: $1,500
* 5th Place: $1,000

2008 Hot Dog Circuit

May 08: Las Vegas, NV
May 10: Minneapolis, MN
May 17: E. Hartford, CT
May 17: Chicago, IL
May 17: Miami, FL
May 24: Philadelphia, PA
May 24: Pittsburgh, PA
May 31: Tempe, AZ
May 31: Kansas City, MO
June 1: London, England
June 7: Norfolk, VA
June 14: Charlotte, NC
June 14: Shea Stadium , NY
June 17: Hanover, Germany
June 21: Dallas, TX
June 21: Myrtle Beach, SC
June 21: Atlanta, GA
June 24: Tokyo, Japan
June 26: QVC, Westchester, PA
June 28: Camden, NJ
June 28: San Francisco, CA
July 3: Weigh-In
July 4: Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY

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Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York City

Daily Events in NYC, New York, USA